After the Storm
Capt. Larry Pentel
August 25, 2009
Destin - Saltwater Fishing Report
Well' we had to endure yet another made for TV tropical storm. TS Claudette did make it rain and the surf came up for a day. The weather was way worse several times this spring on just your usual cold fronts. Jim Cantore got his ego reinflated and the weather channel sold advertising. Someone needs to remind Jim that no matter how short you are it's illegal to stand on top of a dune even if it does make you look taller on TV.
The "day" of the storm , Sunday, started with a beautiful morning. I was out catching bait and my charter called bemoaning the fact the weather was so horible (he had turned on the TV). I told 'em to look outside, it was a nice day and I was on the water ready to pick 'em up. The young man and his dad had a great time catching and releasing Red Snappers, catching and keeping vermillions and hooking Mahi. My young angler landed one nice Dolphin( jumped off a couple more) and couldn't have been prouder of a 300# Tarpon. Turned out it was his dream fish.
One happy angler
I only got to fish 3 days last week as the tv folks lies scared a bunch of anglers away. The surf we had did move the kings to another location for a while but the bait is still here so they will be back soon. The weather didn't push the Mahi anywhere tho . My second trip out after the storm we found a little patch of grass that was covered up with schoolies. My folks had a great time with a dolphin rally that lasted for over an hour. We kept 38 and had 4 big ones on as well that out angled my folks. We also found some Triggers, Vermillions and big Spanish.
Only what the board would hold- Twice as many still in the box!
I came over to Indian Pass to help one of my daughters celebrate her 30th birthday. The past 2 days I have been driving around a bunch of very happy girls having a great time on the water. We went scallopin' in St Joe Bay on Sunday- Still lots of the tasty critters to be found- and a "shoppin' cruise" to Appalach yesterday. We did manage to stop a couple times and the birthday girl caught a nice 10# tripletail on the way. The crew also landed a too big redfish, broke off a few more and caught spanish for fish sandwiches. I watched the Tarpon go off for the half hour we were messin' with these fish off the beach, just couldn't talk anybody into serious fishin'. Today is another day and while it may be late I think the girls are starting to wake-- maybe I can get to chase BIG fish today. A 100# Tarpon would be a great birthday present!
I'm over here for at least a few more days so I should have a tarpon report up soon----
capt Larry Pentel
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